Mobile wireless communications device providing object reference data based upon near field communication (NFC) and related methods

ABSTRACT

A wireless communications system may include a near field communication (NFC) reference device configured to store object reference data for at least one object associated with a geographic location of the NFC device. The wireless communications system may also include a mobile wireless communications device that includes an NFC transceiver configured to communicate with the NFC device based upon proximity thereto, an image sensor, a display, and a controller. The controller may cooperate with the NFC transceiver, the image sensor, and the display. The controller may be configured to determine a sensed image from the image sensor. The controller may also be configured to select object reference data for the sensed image based upon communication with the NFC reference device, and display the object reference data and the sensed image on the display.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to the field of communications, and moreparticularly, to wireless communications systems and related methods.

BACKGROUND

Mobile communication systems continue to grow in popularity and havebecome an integral part of both personal and business communications.Various mobile devices now incorporate Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)features such as calendars, address books, task lists, calculators, memoand writing programs, media players, games, etc. These multi-functiondevices usually allow electronic mail (email) messages to be sent andreceived wirelessly, as well as access the internet via a cellularnetwork and/or a wireless local area network (WLAN), for example.

Some mobile devices incorporate contactless card technology and/or nearfield communication (NEC) chips. NEC technology is commonly used forcontactless short-range communications based on radio frequencyidentification (RFID) standards, using magnetic field induction toenable communication between electronic devices, including mobilewireless communications devices. This short-range high frequencywireless communications technology exchanges data between devices over ashort distance, such as only a few centimeters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communications system inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is another schematic block diagram of the communications systemof FIG. 1 including the display of the mobile device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the mobile device of the system of FIG. 1providing object reference data based upon a sensed image of a monument.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the mobile device of the system of FIG. 1providing object reference data based upon a sensed image of a street.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a communications system inaccordance with another example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating example method aspects associatedwith the system and devices of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating example method aspects associatedwith the system and devices of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating example components of amobile wireless communications device that may be used in accordancewith various implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present description is made with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which embodiments are shown. However, many differentembodiments may be used, and thus the description should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and primenotation is used to indicate similar elements or steps in alternativeembodiments.

Generally speaking, a wireless communication system is disclosed hereinwhich may include a near field communication (NFC) reference deviceconfigured to store object reference data for at least one objectassociated with a geographic location of the NFC device. The wirelesscommunications system may also include a mobile wireless communicationsdevice that includes an NFC transceiver configured to communicate withthe NFC device based upon proximity thereto, an image sensor, a display,and a controller. The controller may cooperate with the NFC transceiver,the image sensor, and the display. The controller may be configured todetermine a sensed image from the image sensor. The sensed image mayhave at least one sensed object therein, for example. The controller mayalso be configured to select object reference data for the at least onesensed object based upon communication with the NFC reference device,and display the object reference data and the sensed image on thedisplay.

The NFC reference device may be configured to store at least onereference image, for example. The controller may be configured to selectthe object reference data based upon performing image recognitionbetween the sensed image and the at least one reference image, forexample.

The NFC reference device may be configured to store reference positiondata. The mobile wireless communications device may include a positiondetermining device, for example. The controller may be configured tocooperate with the position determining device to select the objectreference data based upon the stored reference position data and aposition of the mobile wireless communications device. The controllermay be configured to cooperate with the position determining device togenerate an alert that the NFC reference device is nearby based upon aposition of the mobile wireless communications device, for example.

The at least one sensed object may include a plurality of sensedobjects. Each sensed object may have a category associated therewithfrom among a plurality of different categories, for example. Thecontroller may be configured to select the object reference data basedupon the different categories.

The controller may be configured to cooperate with the display tooverlay the object reference data on the sensed image. The NFC referencedevice may include an NFC reference device transceiver, an NFC referencedevice memory, and an NFC reference device controller coupled to the NFCreference device transceiver and NFC reference device memory.

A mobile wireless communications device, similar to the one describedbriefly above, and a related communications method are also provided.The method may include determining a sensed image from the image sensor.The sensed image may have at least one sensed object therein. The methodmay also include selecting object reference data for the at least onesensed object based upon communication with an NFC reference deviceconfigured to communicate with the NFC transceiver based upon proximitythereto. The NFC reference device may be configured to store objectreference data for at least one object associated with a geographiclocation of the NFC reference device. The method also includesdisplaying the object reference data and the sensed image on thedisplay.

A related non-transitory computer-readable medium for use with a mobilewireless communications device, such as the one described briefly above,may have computer-executable instructions for causing the mobilewireless communications device to perform various steps. The steps mayinclude determining a sensed image from the image sensor. The sensedimage may have at least one sensed object therein. The steps may alsoinclude selecting object reference data for the at least one sensedobject based upon communication with an NFC reference device configuredto communicate with the NFC transceiver based upon proximity thereto,for example. The NFC reference device may be configured to store objectreference data for at least one object associated with a geographiclocation of the NFC reference device. The steps may also includedisplaying the object reference data and the sensed image on thedisplay, for example.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, a communications system 30 is firstdescribed. The system 30 illustratively includes a near fieldcommunication (NFC) reference device 31 configured to store objectreference data for an object associated with a geographic location, anda mobile wireless communications device 32 (also referred to as a“mobile device” herein). Example mobile wireless communications devicesmay include portable or personal media players (e.g., music or MP3players, video players, etc.), portable gaming devices, portable ormobile telephones, smartphones, tablet computers, digital cameras, etc.

By way of background, NFC is a short-range wireless communicationstechnology in which NFC-enabled devices are “swiped,” “bumped” orotherwise moved in close proximity to communicate. In one non-limitingexample implementation, NFC may operate at 13.56 MHz and with aneffective range of about 10 cm, but other suitable versions ofnear-field communication which may have different operating frequencies,effective ranges, etc., for example, may also be used.

The NFC reference device 31 includes a NFC reference device transceiver44, an NFC reference device memory 43, and a NFC reference devicecontroller 42 coupled to the NFC reference device transceiver and NFCreference device memory. In one example embodiment, the NFC referencedevice memory 43 is configured to store reference images for objectsgeographically near the NFC reference device 31. In particular, the NFCreference device 31 may store reference images for objects within athreshold geographic radius of the NFC reference device.

The mobile device 32 illustratively includes an NFC transceiver 33configured to communicate with the NFC reference device 31 based uponproximity thereto using NFC communication, an image sensor 34, a display36, and a controller 35 coupled to the NFC transceiver, the imagesensor, and the display. By way of example, the image sensor 34 maycomprise one or more digital camera or image capture components, such asa lens, a charge-coupled device (CCD), etc. The controller 35 may beimplemented using hardware (e.g., processor, memory, etc.) and softwarecomponents, i.e., computer-readable instructions for causing the mobiledevice 32 to perform the various functions or operations describedherein. The NFC reference device 31 may be an NEC tag, an NFC-enabledmobile device, etc.

One or more of the stored reference images from the NFC reference devicememory 43 may be communicated from the NFC reference device 31 via theNFC reference device transceiver 44 and the NFC transceiver 33.Successful download of stored reference images and the object referencedata may be optionally indicated by way of the display 36. (FIG. 2).

The controller 35 is configured to determine a sensed image 38 from theimage sensor 34. For example, the controller may cause the image sensor34 to capture a single image or a continuous stream of images, as in thecase with taking a digital picture or a digital video. In the example ofFIG. 3, an object 46, for example, a monument is in the field of view orviewfinder of the mobile device 32, and the image 38 captured by itsimage sensor (e.g., camera) is displayed on the display 36. The sensedimage 38 may include other or additional objects.

The controller 35 is configured to select the corresponding objectreference data based upon performing image recognition between thesensed image 38 from the image sensor 34 and the received storedreference images. In the illustrated example, the sensed image 38includes an object 46, in particular, the Washington Monument. In someembodiments, the sensed image 38 may not have an object therein orvisible on the display 36. For example, the object may be behind trees,and thus may not be visible on the display 36. A stored reference imageor images may be received from an NFC reference device 31 nearby theWashington Monument, and may also include object reference data 37, forexample, historical data, relating thereto. The controller 35, byperforming image recognition, may identify the Washington Monument 46 inthe sensed image 38. The controller 35 may be configured to display theobject reference data 37 and the sensed image 38 on the display 36. Moreparticularly, the controller 35 may advantageously be configured tooverlay the object reference data 37 at least partially over the sensedimage 38 as augmented reality (AR) data. In some example embodiments,the controller 35 may display the reference data 37 alongside the sensedimage 38. The controller 35 may be configured to display the referenceimage data and the sensed image 38 in other configurations.

Additionally, while the controller 35 advantageously receives storedreference images from the NEC reference device 31, in other exampleembodiments (not shown), the controller may communicate the sensed image38 to the NEC reference device, wherein the NEC reference devicecontroller 42 may perform the image recognition. The NEC referencedevice controller 42 may select the corresponding object reference dataand communicate the same to the controller 35 for displaying with thesensed image 38. Referring to the Washington Monument example, theobject reference data 37 may include the height, name of the monument,the date it was built, etc.

Each sensed object 46 advantageously has a category associatedtherewith. For example, the Washington Monument 46 may be associatedwith categories, such as, for example, historical structures, and“vacation.” A sensed object 46 may be associated with variouscategories, and may be user-defined or have pre-defined default categoryassociations, for example. The controller 35 may be configured to selectthe object reference data 37 based upon the different categories. Moreparticularly, in a “vacation mode,” for example, the controller 35 mayselect object reference data associated with the vacation category. In a“business mode,” for example, the controller 35 may select and displayobject reference data associated with business, for example, subwayentrances, coffee shops, etc., and not select and display objectreference data for tourist attractions, such as the Washington Monument.The controller 35 may also select the object reference data 37 basedupon priority or ranking, which may be user-defined or set by auser-profile, for example.

Indeed, receiving object reference data 37 from the NFC reference device31 may be particularly advantageous as it provides augmented realitywhile reducing the amount of data traffic that would otherwise bepresent on a cellular network if many users are located in a common areaand attempting to simultaneously access such information, for example.This may also decrease power consumption for the mobile device, andthereby increase battery life.

Referring now to the example of FIG. 4, the sensed image 38 includesmore than one object. More particularly, the sensed image 38 is a viewdown a street. Several objects 46 a-46 c, for example, two restaurantsand a hotel, are in the field of view or viewfinder of the mobile device32, and the image 38 captured by its image sensor (e.g., camera) isdisplayed on the display 36. The sensed image 38 illustratively includesother or additional objects.

The controller 35 selects the corresponding object reference data. Thecontroller 35 may select the corresponding object reference data basedupon selected categories, as described above. In the illustratedexample, object reference data associated with hotels (i.e. lodging) andrestaurants, for example, is overlaid over the sensed image 38 as ARdata. In particular, object reference data 37 a identifying the object46 a as “Hotel A” and a price guide (i.e. a price range as indicated bya given number of dollar signs) are overlaid over the sensed image 38 asAR data. Similar object reference data 37 b, 37 c identifying theobjects 46 b, 46 c and price guide for the “MCD” and “TGI” restaurants,respectively, are also overlaid over the sensed image 38 as AR data.Additional information identifying other objects may be displayed basedupon selected categories, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in another example embodiment, the NFCreference device memory 43′ may be configured to store referenceposition data corresponding to objects geographically near the NFCreference device 31′. Similarly, the NFC reference device 31′ may storereference images for objects within a threshold geographic radius of theNFC reference device.

The mobile device 32′ also includes a position determining device 45′configured to determine a geographical position. For example, theposition determining device 45′ may comprise a global positioning system(GPS) receiver. More than one position determining device may be used.For example, the GPS receiver 45′ may cooperate with a bearing orheading determining device, such as a compass, for example, to determinethe geographical position of what is in the field of view or viewfinderof the image sensor 34′. As such, image comparison and recognition, asdescribed above, need not be used, although either technique (or both)may be used in a given embodiment.

The controller 35′ may also be configured to cooperate with the positiondetermining device 45′ to generate an alert that the NFC referencedevice 31′ is nearby based upon the position of the mobile device 31′.In particular, the mobile device 31′ may sound an audible alert,vibrate, or generate another type of alert when the mobile device iswithin a threshold geographical area as determined by the positiondetermining device 45′.

The object reference data 37′ for an object 46′ associated with thegeographic location of the NFC reference device 31′ may includehistorical information, schedules or hours of operation, or any otherinformation that may be associated with an object. The object 46′ may bea structure, for example, a statue, a monument, a shelter, and abuilding, but it will be appreciated that the object may be another typeof object.

Referring to the flow diagram 60 in FIG. 7, an example method aspect isnow described. Beginning at Block 62, the method includes determining asensed image 38 from the image sensor 34 (Block 64). The sensed image 38has sensed objects therein 46. In other embodiments, the sensed image 38may not have a sensed object therein. The method further includes, atBlock 66, receiving stored object reference data for objects associatedwith the geographic location along with reference images from the NFCreference device 31. At Block 68, the method includes performing imagerecognition between the sensed image and the reference image. At Block72, the method includes selecting object reference data for the sensedobject based upon one or more categories. The object reference data 37,is overlaid on the sensed image 38 on the display 36 at Block 74. Themethod ends at Block 76.

Referring now to the flow diagram 60′ in FIG. 6, a method aspect isdisclosed. Beginning at Block 62′, the method includes determining asensed image 38′ from the image sensor 34′ (Block 64′). The sensed image38′ has sensed objects therein 37′. The method further includes, atBlock 66′, receiving stored object reference data for objects associatedwith the geographic location along with reference position data from theNFC reference device 31′. At Block 68′, the method includes correlatingthe reference position data and geographic position of the mobile device32′ determined from a position determining device 45′. At Block 72′, themethod includes selecting object reference data for the sensed object46′ based upon one or more categories. The reference data 37′ isoverlaid on the sensed image 38′ on the display 36′ at Block 74′. Themethod ends at Block 76′.

Example components of a mobile wireless communications device 1000 thatmay be used in accordance with the above-described embodiments arefurther described below with reference to FIG. 8. The device 1000illustratively includes a housing 1200, a keyboard or keypad 1400 and anoutput device 1600. The output device shown is a display 1600, which maycomprise a full graphic LCD. Other types of output devices mayalternatively be utilized. A processing device 1800 is contained withinthe housing 1200 and is coupled between the keypad 1400 and the display1600. The processing device 1800 controls the operation of the display1600, as well as the overall operation of the mobile device 1000, inresponse to actuation of keys on the keypad 1400.

The housing 1200 may be elongated vertically, or may take on other sizesand shapes (including clamshell housing structures). The keypad mayinclude a mode selection key, or other hardware or software forswitching between text entry and telephony entry.

In addition to the processing device 1800, other parts of the mobiledevice 1000 are shown schematically in FIG. 8. These include acommunications subsystem 1001; a short-range communications subsystem1020; the keypad 1400 and the display 1600, along with otherinput/output devices 1060, 1080, 1100 and 1120; as well as memorydevices 1160, 1180 and various other device subsystems 1201. The mobiledevice 1000 may comprise a two-way RF communications device having dataand, optionally, voice communications capabilities. In addition, themobile device 1000 may have the capability to communicate with othercomputer systems via the Internet.

Operating system software executed by the processing device 1800 isstored in a persistent store, such as the flash memory 1160, but may bestored in other types of memory devices, such as a read only memory(ROM) or similar storage element. In addition, system software, specificdevice applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into avolatile store, such as the random access memory (RAM) 1180.Communications signals received by the mobile device may also be storedin the RAM 1180.

The processing device 1800, in addition to its operating systemfunctions, enables execution of software applications 1300A-1300N on thedevice 1000. A predetermined set of applications that control basicdevice operations, such as data and voice communications 1300A and1300B, may be installed on the device 1000 during manufacture. Inaddition, a personal information manager (PIM) application may beinstalled during manufacture. The PIM may be capable of organizing andmanaging data items, such as e-mail, calendar events, voice mails,appointments, and task items. The PIM application may also be capable ofsending and receiving data items via a wireless network 1401. The PIMdata items may be seamlessly integrated, synchronized and updated viathe wireless network 1401 with corresponding data items stored orassociated with a host computer system.

Communication functions, including data and voice communications, areperformed through the communications subsystem 1001, and possiblythrough the short-range communications subsystem. The communicationssubsystem 1001 includes a receiver 1500, a transmitter 1520, and one ormore antennas 1540 and 1560. In addition, the communications subsystem1001 also includes a processing module, such as a digital signalprocessor (DSP) 1580, and local oscillators (LOs) 1601. The specificdesign and implementation of the communications subsystem 1001 isdependent upon the communications network in which the mobile device1000 is intended to operate. For example, a mobile device 1000 mayinclude a communications subsystem 1001 designed to operate with theMobitex™, Data TACT™ or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) mobile datacommunications networks, and also designed to operate with any of avariety of voice communications networks, such as AMPS, TDMA, CDMA,WCDMA, PCS, GSM, EDGE, etc. Other types of data and voice networks, bothseparate and integrated, may also be utilized with the mobile device1000. The mobile device 1000 may also be compliant with othercommunications standards such as 3GSM, 3GPP, UMTS, 4G, etc.

Network access requirements vary depending upon the type ofcommunication system. For example, in the Mobitex and DataTAC networks,mobile devices are registered on the network using a unique personalidentification number or PIN associated with each device. In GPRSnetworks, however, network access is associated with a subscriber oruser of a device. A GPRS device therefore typically involves use of asubscriber identity module, commonly referred to as a SIM card, in orderto operate on a GPRS network.

When required network registration or activation procedures have beencompleted, the mobile device 1000 may send and receive communicationssignals over the communication network 1401. Signals received from thecommunications network 1401 by the antenna 1540 are routed to thereceiver 1500, which provides for signal amplification, frequency downconversion, filtering, channel selection, etc., and may also provideanalog to digital conversion. Analog-to-digital conversion of thereceived signal allows the DSP 1580 to perform more complexcommunications functions, such as demodulation and decoding. In asimilar manner, signals to be transmitted to the network 1401 areprocessed (e.g. modulated and encoded) by the DSP 1580 and are thenprovided to the transmitter 1520 for digital to analog conversion,frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification and transmission tothe communication network 1401 (or networks) via the antenna 1560.

In addition to processing communications signals, the DSP 1580 providesfor control of the receiver 1500 and the transmitter 1520. For example,gains applied to communications signals in the receiver 1500 andtransmitter 1520 may be adaptively controlled through automatic gaincontrol algorithms implemented in the DSP 1580.

In a data communications mode, a received signal, such as a text messageor web page download, is processed by the communications subsystem 1001and is input to the processing device 1800. The received signal is thenfurther processed by the processing device 1800 for an output to thedisplay 1600, or alternatively to some other auxiliary I/O device 1060.A device may also be used to compose data items, such as e-mailmessages, using the keypad 1400 and/or some other auxiliary I/O device1060, such as a touchpad, a rocker switch, a thumb-wheel, or some othertype of input device. The composed data items may then be transmittedover the communications network 1401 via the communications subsystem1001.

In a voice communications mode, overall operation of the device issubstantially similar to the data communications mode, except thatreceived signals are output to a speaker 1100, and signals fortransmission are generated by a microphone 1120. Alternative voice oraudio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, mayalso be implemented on the device 1000. In addition, the display 1600may also be utilized in voice communications mode, for example todisplay the identity of a calling party, the duration of a voice call,or other voice call related information.

The short-range communications subsystem enables communication betweenthe mobile device 1000 and other proximate systems or devices, whichneed not necessarily be similar devices. For example, the short-rangecommunications subsystem may include an infrared device and associatedcircuits and components, a Bluetooth™ communications module to providefor communication with similarly-enabled systems and devices, or a nearfield communications (NFC) sensor for communicating with a NFC device orNFC tag via NFC communications.

Many modifications and other embodiments will come to the mind of oneskilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it isunderstood that various modifications and embodiments are intended to beincluded within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A wireless communications system comprising: a near fieldcommunication (NEC) reference device configured to store objectreference data for at least one object associated with a geographiclocation of said reference NEC device; and a mobile wirelesscommunications device comprising an NEC transceiver configured tocommunicate with said NEC reference device based upon proximity thereto,an image sensor, a display, and a controller cooperating with said NECtransceiver, said image sensor, and said display and configured todetermine a sensed image from said image sensor, select object referencedata for the sensed image based upon communication with said NFCreference device, and display the object reference data and said sensedimage on said display.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the NFCreference device is configured to store at least one reference image;and wherein said controller is configured to select the object referencedata based upon performing image recognition between the sensed imageand the at least one reference image.
 3. The system of claim 1 whereinthe NFC reference device is configured to store reference position data;wherein said mobile wireless communications device comprises a positiondetermining device; and wherein said controller is configured tocooperate with said position determining device to select the objectreference data based upon the stored reference position data and aposition of said mobile wireless communications device.
 4. The system ofclaim 1 wherein said mobile wireless communications device furthercomprises a position determining device; and wherein said controller isconfigured to cooperate with said position determining device togenerate an alert that said NFC reference device is nearby based upon aposition of said mobile wireless communications device.
 5. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the sensed image has at least one sensed object therein,and wherein said controller is configured to select object referencedata for the at least one sensed object based upon communication withsaid NFC reference device.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein the at leastone sensed object comprises a plurality of sensed objects, each sensedobject having a category associated therewith from among a plurality ofdifferent categories; and wherein said controller is configured toselect the object reference data based upon the different categories. 7.The system of claim 1 wherein said controller is configured to cooperatewith said display to overlay the object reference data on said sensedimage.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein said NFC reference devicecomprises: an NFC reference device transceiver; an NFC reference devicememory; and an NFC reference device controller coupled to said NECreference device transceiver and NFC reference device memory.
 9. Amobile wireless communications device comprising: a near fieldcommunication (NFC) transceiver an image sensor; a display; and acontroller cooperating with said NFC transceiver, said image sensor, andsaid display and configured to receive an image from said image sensor,the image including an object, receive data corresponding to the objectvia the NFC transceiver, and concurrently display the image and the datacorresponding to the object in the image on said display.
 10. The mobilewireless communications device of claim 9 wherein said controller isconfigured to select the object reference data based upon performingimage recognition between the sensed image and at least one referenceimage.
 11. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 9 furthercomprising a position determining device; and wherein said controller isconfigured to cooperate with said position determining device to selectthe object reference data based upon stored reference position data anda position of said mobile wireless communications device.
 12. The mobilewireless communications device of claim 9 wherein said mobile wirelesscommunications device further comprises a position determining device;and wherein said controller is configured to cooperate with saidposition determining device to generate an alert based upon a positionof said mobile wireless communications device.
 13. The mobile wirelesscommunications device of claim 9 wherein said controller is configuredto select object reference data for the object based upon NFCcommunication.
 14. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 13wherein the object has a category associated therewith from among aplurality of different categories; and wherein said controller isconfigured to select the object reference data based upon the associatedcategory.
 15. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 9wherein said controller is configured to cooperate with said display tooverlay the object reference data on the image.
 16. A method of using amobile wireless communications device comprising an NFC transceiver, animage sensor, and a display, the method comprising: determining a sensedimage from the image sensor, selecting object reference data for thesensed image based upon communication with an NFC reference deviceconfigured to communicate with the NFC transceiver based upon proximitythereto, the NFC reference device being configured to store objectreference data for at least one object associated with a geographiclocation of the NFC reference device, and displaying the objectreference data and the sensed image on the display.
 17. The method ofclaim 16 wherein the NFC reference device is configured to store atleast one reference image; and further comprising performing imagerecognition between the sensed image and the at least one referenceimage to select the object reference data.
 18. The method of claim 16wherein the NFC reference device is configured to store referenceposition data; wherein the mobile wireless communications devicecomprises a position determining device; and further comprisingcooperating with the position determining device to select the objectreference data based upon the stored reference position data and aposition of the mobile wireless communications device.
 19. The method ofclaim 16 wherein further comprising generating an alert that the NFCreference device is nearby based upon a position of the mobile wirelesscommunications device from a position determining device.
 20. The methodof claim 16 wherein the sensed image has at least one sensed objecttherein, and wherein selecting the object reference data comprisesselecting the object reference data for the at least one sensed objectbased upon communication with the NFC reference device.
 21. The methodof claim 16 wherein the at least one sensed object comprises a pluralityof sensed objects, each sensed object having a category associatedtherewith from among a plurality of different categories; and furthercomprising selecting the object reference data based upon the differentcategories.
 22. The method of claim 16 wherein displaying the objectreference data and the sensed image on the display comprises overlayingthe object reference data on the sensed image.
 23. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium for use with a mobile wireless communicationsdevice comprising an NFC transceiver, an image sensor, and a display,and having computer-readable instructions for causing the mobilewireless communications device to perform the steps comprising:determining a sensed image from the image sensor; selecting objectreference data for the sensed image based upon communication with an NFCreference device configured to communicate with the NEC transceiverbased upon proximity thereto, the NFC reference device being configuredto store object reference data for at least one object associated with ageographic location of the NFC reference device; and displaying theobject reference data and the sensed image on the display.
 24. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein the NECreference device is configured to store at least one reference image;and further having computer-executable instructions for causing themobile wireless communications device to perform a step comprisingselecting the object reference data based upon performing imagerecognition between the sensed image and the at least one referenceimage.
 25. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23wherein the NFC reference device is configured to store referenceposition data; wherein the mobile wireless communications devicecomprises a position determining device; and further havingcomputer-executable instructions for causing the mobile wirelesscommunications device to perform a step comprising cooperating with theposition determining device to select the object reference data basedupon the stored reference position data and a position of the mobilewireless communications device.
 26. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 23 wherein the mobile wireless communications devicefurther comprises a position determining device; and further havingcomputer-executable instructions for causing the mobile wirelesscommunications device to perform a step comprising cooperating with theposition determining device to generate an alert that the NFC referencedevice is nearby based upon a position of the mobile wirelesscommunications device.
 27. The non-transitory computer-readable mediumof claim 23 wherein the sensed image has at least one sensed objecttherein, and wherein the computer-executable instructions are forselecting the object reference data for the at least one sensed objectbased upon communication with the NFC reference device.
 28. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 27 wherein the at leastone sensed object comprises a plurality of sensed objects, each sensedobject having a category associated therewith from among a plurality ofdifferent categories; and further having computer-executableinstructions for causing the mobile wireless communications device toperform a step comprising selecting the object reference data based uponthe different categories.
 29. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 23 further having computer-executable instructions forcausing the mobile wireless communications device to perform a stepcomprising overlaying the object reference data on the sensed image.